Surprising' Is Judge's Reaction To Jury Verdict

An Easton man was acquitted of assault and robbery charges yesterday in a verdict which a Northampton County judge found "surprising."

Judge Richard D. Grifo said that in 17 years on the bench, he had followed a policy of never commenting on a jury's decision.

But when the foreman at the trial of Curtis E. Lee said the jurors found him not guilty of aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another, robbery and conspiracy, Grifo observed, "I am thoroughly surprised."

After the jury of five men and seven women filed out, Grifo summoned Lee to the bench and said, "This means to me the jury was not convinced beyond a reasonable doubt. That's all it means to me."

Police accused Lee, 26, of the 600 block of Ferry Street, Easton, of beating Michael Hernandez in the face with a sawed-off shotgun and cutting him in the hands, arm and chest with a knife before taking $100 from him.

Police said the incident happened Oct. 13 in the 1100 block of Fritz Drive, Bethlehem.

Lee contended that he and Hernandez got into a "small scuffle" in a dispute over the proceeds from a drug sale.

Assistant District Attorney Mark Refowich represented the commonwealth, and counsel for Lee was attorney John Morganelli.